Masquerading

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We invited some friends to come to The Glade with masks on, not for protection against contagion but to disguise themselves.

Sug travels to a school in Guatemala at least twice a year.

One of the purposes of the party was to send Sug off to another mission in Guatemala with our prayers and support.

Charlie was our pitmaster tending the fire.

The weather was cool, so we all huddled around the fire pit.

These masks light up in the dark.

Some were simply elegant.

The uniqueness of each person’s masque was a nod to creativity.

After hot bowls of tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, guests noshed on both candied and savory popcorn snacks.

We enjoyed the food.

The party setting is much more enchanting by fire light.

We enjoyed the setting.

The party started at sunset and lasted into the evening.

And we enjoyed each other’s company.

A fun evening!

Jo

November, 2021: Plans

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So we’ve traveled, we’ve partied, and now we want a little respite before the holiday season is in full swing.  All except Sug, who heads to Guatemala to do mission work for a week.

Here are my plans for November:

  1.   Celebrate Thanksgiving.

    Charlie has promised crab cakes for Thanksgiving.

  2.   Prepare a month’s worth of keto meals.
  3.   Go through Christmas decorations and eliminate broken lights and never-used items.

    My polar bears are safe from the purge.

  4.  Begin gathering gifts.
  5.  Make an Advent wreath.

    We’ll try a new style advent wreath this year.

  6.   See a movie:  Algiers 

    A classic with Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr.

  7.   Read a book:  Jews and Christians: A Troubled Family
  8.   Get rid of 10 pieces of clothing.
  9.  Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: CALM.
  10.  Write a goal list for December, 2021.

October, 2021: Checked

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I have had one of the best months ever.  Even though traveling and partying required jumping through a number of hoops to accomplish my goals, the adventure clearly made up for the aggravation and stress.

  1.  Travel to Iceland. Charlie, Sug, and I traveled to Iceland for a week and had the adventure of a lifetime, including multiple viewings of the Northern Lights.

    We had a wonderful guide who taught us just what to look for.

  2. Work on a project: I changed the baseboard behind the sofa from a slim profile to one with more dimension and weight.  Small projects really mess up a room and take just as many tools and techniques as larger endeavors.  Or so it seems.

    Baseboard behind sofa has been updated.

  3.  Masked party.  We had a mysterious evening around the fire pit.

    Charlie and I, like most guests, wore masks to our party.

    Everyone came ready to party.

  4.  See a movie:  No Time to Die. Bond, James Bond.  This movie kept me on the edge of my seat right from the start. Gorgeous vistas of Italy and Jamaica with a quick side visit to Havana, Cuba reminded me of why I love to travel.
  5.  Read a book: The End of October by Lawrence Wright. I really, really enjoyed this well-researched novel about a global pandemic that makes COVID seem tame.

    The End of October was written in 2017!!

  6.  List Halloween costumes for quick sale.  The fully unique, comfortable, and handmade costumes were listed but not sold.  I guess next year I’ll be more proactive to find just the right wearer.

    Once upon a time, my little knight even carried her ladyship’s token in his belt.

  7.  Shred old documents.  Another tall stack of old papers are shredded and recycled.  While I won’t list this as a task every month I will continue to whittle down the pile.
  8.  Autumnize the mantel.

    This simple mantel should carry us through Thanksgiving.

    Some bronze, some pumpkins, and the Red Wing stag all say fall is in the air.  Asters are from our garden.

  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ADVENTURE.
  10. Write a goal list for November, 2021.

Jo

Iceland: Day 3 and the Lights

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Our third day in Iceland was a Saturday and  I had planned on exploring Reykjavik.

So many scrumptious choices. Lots of people bought bread.

In the morning Charlie, Sug, and I stopped at Brikk bakery for our morning coffee and pastry.

Many stores and restaurants in Iceland open much later in the morning than in the US.

Then on to Bonus which is Iceland’s discount grocery store chain.  Charlie in particular loves going grocery shopping especially in foreign countries.

Reykjavik is on a peninsulas and so is surrounded on 3 sides by water.

After the grocery store we parked the car at our apartment and walked by Reykjavik harbor to take in the weekend flea market.  Frankly I would recommend a pass on this flea market as it has few authentic Iceland elements.  (However, don’t miss the flea market in Paris, France.)

In lieu of butter we were served heavy whipped cream with our waffles.

Then we walked down to the rainbow street where we each had a waffle for lunch at Mokka Kaffi. (We had visited there on our first day in Iceland and had been hungering to try their waffles.) Again, we were not disappointed.

It may come as no surprise that the Northern Lights appear in the northern sky. Look north. (The Big Dipper [center of photo] is a good signpost.)

We were notified in the afternoon that our Northern Lights Tour would actually take place. (I had originally booked with Troll Expeditions for our first night in Iceland but they cancelled that night then said they would not be going out again during our stay.  I had kept supplemental backup information on my itinerary just in case.  So we ended up going out with East West Tours which I booked through Reykjavik Sightseeing, but it can be booked direct with East West.)

Our guide drove us about an hour out of Reykjavik to view the lights. He also took the photos.

We were picked up a block from our apartment at about 9 p.m. by Gustaf driving a Mercedes minibus   We were all dressed in our warmest gear since we would be standing out in the cold Icelandic wind in the middle of the night.

Included in the price of the tour:

  • Pick up 30 mins prior to departure, at any location in Reykjavik area
  • Hot chocolate and Icelandic ‘kleina’ (donuts)

    Gustaf (left) with Charlie’s help served us hot chocolate and kleina after viewing the lights.

  • Photos included
  • Use of tripods
  • Free WiFi
  • Knowledgeable, local guide
  • Drop off back in Reykjavik

I came to Iceland to mark seeing the elusive Aurora Borealis off my bucket list.

This was the dream of a life time — part awesome and part educational.

Iceland:

Jo

Don’t Call Me Pony

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On our second day in Iceland I had planned the morning off since we had been traveling for over 36 hours and were supposed to have stayed up into the wee hours of the night before to search for the Northern Lights.  Due to cloudiness the search was called off so we were up and raring to go the next morning.

We were greeted with a hearty welcome and some very good coffee and pastries. (Le Kock also serves a full Icelandic breakfast buffet.)

Sug was staying about 2 blocks away from us in a guesthouse so we strolled by her digs then continued on down the street to Le Kock restaurant and bakery where we had coffee and donuts.  (They also offer a full  Icelandic breakfast buffet.)

Kaffi Brennslan prepared a custom meal for me which I thoroughly enjoyed.

After breakfast we headed to downtown Reykjavik and walked around until we were hungry — again.  There are lots of small coffee shops with good food and WiFi but I had selected Kaffi Brennslan for our next meal.  We were not disappointed.

Ishestar — “Is” for Iceland, “Hestar” means horses.

We needed to eat an early lunch because I had planned a Lava Tour at 2 p.m. — on horseback!

The stables were full of attractive horses.

Charlie and I have ridden mules at the Grand Canyon, horses in Cuba, and like to plan similar excursions when possible.  Sug, however, had not been on a horse since a carnival pony ride when she was young.

I tried for a selfie but this friendly fellow wanted into the frame.

The 2-hour Lava Tour at Ishestar stables was perfect for the three of us. Though small in stature and pudgy, these are NOT ponies. There is only one type of horse in Iceland which has been native for over 1,000 years and is perfectly suited to the climate.  There are no wild horses — all are owned by someone.

Charlie in his riding gear.

We arrived and were shown a short video of what to expect when we met the horses.  Then we geared up with hardhats.  Ishestar also supplied waterproof suits and boots if needed.  The 3 of us had arrived prepared with waterproof trousers and raincoats.

Jo and Charlie had a photo op before heading back to the stables.

The horses were already tacked when we went to saddle up.  The group was divided into beginners and more experienced riders and assigned a horse accordingly.

Perhaps horse lovers would like a close-up of our steeds.

About a half hour into the 2-hour ride beginners went one way and advanced riders went another.  Charlie and I were in the advanced group where we experienced the trot of an Icelandic horse.  A rider does not post at the trot in Iceland, just maintains an easy bounce with the horse.

Hardy, colorful plants grow on lava.

We discovered a part of Iceland that can only be seen on horseback.  We were also graced with a rainbow but that is not an unusual sight in this enigmatic country.

Iceland:

Jo

COVID Minded Fall Party Menu

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Lately I have been having small get togethers which always include food.

S’mores Kits were personalized.

The difference since COVID started is that we are very careful to prepare the food in a very clean environment.  We mask before beginning and prepare items that no one else needs to touch.

Skewered food invites guests to only touch their own food.

Big serving bowls and community utensils are disallowed. We’ve used skewers, bags, cups, etc. to allow people to serve themselves.

Individually wrapped packages of candy.

We’ve also suggested that if someone wants to contribute food to a party that she individually wrap each item.  Guests complied by bringing individually wrapped scones from the Amish bakery, containers of homemade toffee, and baggies of home-baked cookies.

The writing on the photo says: You’ve been masking for over a year, now let’s masque up. I mean move the mask from your mouth, cut a couple of eyeholes, and mask the top of your face. Get it?
Anything from scary to superhero to sublime.

For our Masque Up party I wanted an easy, cozy, seasonal menu.

Menu:

  • Tomato soup in hot cups with lids
  • Grilled cheese sandwich soldiers

    Party grilled sandwiches are an easy do-ahead in the oven.

  • Savory popcorn in paper leaf bags

    We’ll pre-portion the savory popcorn in festive lunch-sack size paper bags.

  • Candy corn popcorn – served in small square bowls

    This is yummy and doesn’t take much to satisfy a sweet tooth.

  • Pumpkin Pie KitKat candy (I found it at my local Target)
  • Apples

    Apples are a delicious snack and a lovely decoration.

  • Iced sodas and (the popular) Spiced Cider Tea.

I made a test batch of tomato soup from these 5 ingredients: carrots, onion, butter, tomatoes, and chicken stock. (See linked recipe.)

Grilled Cheese Soldiers

Ingredients:

  • Bread
  • Cheese
  • Mayonnaise

Instructions:

  1.           Spread mayonnaise on one side of bread
  2.           Make sandwiches with cheese on baking sheet
  3.           Bake at 375 F for 6 minutes.  Flip and bake another 3 minutes
  4.           Let cool before cutting into fingers
  5.           Reheat for a minute or 2 just before serving

I ordered these 8-ounce cups in which to serve tomato soup — they’ll work whether we’re partying inside or out.

O boy, can’t wait.  I’m ready to party.

Jo

Last of the Living Room Baseboard

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Number 2 on my to-do list this month is work on some trim at home.

The baseboard in most of the house was a paltry 3 inches wide. (Shoe molding has been removed.)

Over time I have been exchanging a very basic baseboard trim with beefier 3-piece design.

We’re using this profile throughout the house.

After the renovation in 2013 (wow, has it been that long ago?) I installed 1″ by 4″ boards topped by ogee molding to newly decorated spaces.

I have been meaning to upgrade the baseboard on the living room wall behind the sofa. The trim has been lying back there for some time now but putting it in means not only pulling the whole room apart but also tearing off the old trim.

The new 1 by 4 fits right into the corner.

I had a piece of 1″ by 4″ board stashed behind the sofa which I must have already cut to size because it fit perfectly in the allotted space.  I also had 2 pieces of ogee which needed to be cut to size.

The scarf joint is somewhere under the window.

Using my power miter saw I cut a scarf joint where the two pieces would meet toward the center of the wall and a 45 degree cut on the side that meets the ogee on the front wall.

Most of this baseboard will be hidden by the couch.

The back wall still has the old trim so I made a straight cut there. I reused the old shoe molding which installed easily.

Before

After —  It’s a subtle change.

Now that the baseboard is as finished as I plan to make it, I have returned the room to its regular set up since we are planning a party for next weekend and we don’t know yet if it will be inside or outside. The weather will dictate the venue.

Jo

Color and Plant Inspiration for a Fall Party

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Before Charlie and I left for Iceland I recovered our occasional pillows with a fall color scheme.

The color scheme — khaki, olive green, burgundy/maroon.

And I made myself a masque with the intention of having a party at the end of October.

A truckful of hardy plants in Reykjavik — kale and heather.

I wasn’t sure what I would be using to decorate the party area until we went to Iceland where gardeners were planting decorative arrangements in October which I suspect remain colorful all winter.

Ornamental kale will withstand cold weather.

While I was unable to find heather, I did find some colorful kale at our local Home Depot.

We have used the transplanted orange flowers over and over in different color arrangements this year to give some pizazz.

I also purchased some burgundy and deep orange chrysanthemums to coordinate with the bright orange marigolds we had been growing during summer.

A relocatable planter.

We used our garden wheelbarrow and a child-sized wheelbarrow to arrange the flowers.

Easy to water and rearrange, the plants are set into the wheelbarrows pots and all.

If the party is in the yard the moveable garden can be stay there.  If the weather mandates that the party is inside the house we’ll wheel the barrows to our entrance.

I’m continuing my hunt for heather so I can have more winter color in our garden like this Icelandic inspiration picture.

Funny how we traveled to Iceland to see the Northern Lights and also received some gardening ideas.

Jo

Masque Up Bash

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Our get togethers earlier this year were successful in getting a few friends together in a safe and social way.

Hoping my masque is totally unique (since I made it).

This month Charlie and I and Sug are planning a party at the end of the month keeping in mind that everyone has been masked for over a year now. (Last month I fashioned a unique masque for myself with the thought that we might have a party.)

My Avatar masked.

We are sending out an invitation by email that features my avatar in a surgical mask which (by the magic of the computer) has been moved up to disguise the upper part of my face.  So we’re asking invitees to come masked in some unique way.

The writing on the photo says: You’ve been masking for over a year, now let’s masque up. I mean move the mask from your mouth, cut a couple of eyeholes, and mask the top of your face. Get it?
Anything from scary to superhero to sublime.

The email says:  On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.

We’re masquing on
Saturday October,  2021 at The Glade
RSVP to Jo
If the weather cooperates, we’ll gather around the fire pit.
Prepare a short scary story or joke to tell around the campfire.
We look forward to seeing you (and perhaps mistaking you for someone else),
Charlie and Jo

We’re hoping the weather will cooperate so we can gather outdoors.

Notice that the orange writing asks the invitee to prepare a story or joke in addition to wearing a mask.  My experience is that when participants prepare in advance for an event they come ready to party!!

Jo

My Lopapeysa

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Even before we could get into our AirBnB in Reykjavik Sug, Charlie, and I set out on a walk around the central part of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

The Handknitting Association of Iceland store is on the left about halfway up the street leading to the tall church in Reykjavik.

I had already checked a walking path to the Icelandic Handknitting Association where I planned to purchase an authentic Icelandic lopapeysa crafted from Icelandic wool by a local knitter.

This small shop was loaded with handknit sweaters made with wool from Icelandic sheep.

My thinking was that I would have a warm sweater to wear the entire time I was in Iceland and then something beautiful to take home.

This was the sweater I wanted but it was extra heavy and only available in XXL.

Honestly, there were so many beautiful items from which to choose I was glad to have looked online to limit my choices but the one I had my eye on wasn’t available in my size.

I wore my new sweater as soon as I paid for it in the store and everyday thereafter in Iceland.

I was also unaware before going into the store that there were 2 weights of sweaters — a lighter one (which I chose) and a heavier one.

My new lopi was comfortable under my down jacket and coordinated with my waterproof pants.

I tried on a variety of sizes and finally bought an extra small which was a little larger through the shoulders than the small but also a little shorter.

I was really happy to have the warmth of my sweater on the night we searched for the Northern Lights. (Note how it matches my decades old ski bibs.)

Because each sweater is handknit the sizes are not exactly standard as a manufactured or machine knit sweater might be.

We had a great meal and enjoyable time at Islenski Barinn due to the quality of the food and our server Rebecca.

We stopped at Islenski Barinn  to get something to eat before heading back to our accommodations for a little rest since we had been up for about 40 hours.

Iceland:

Jo